Quantum dot, curable composition comprising the same, cured layer using the composition, color filter including the cured layer, and display device including the cured layer

ABSTRACT

A quantum dot surface-modified with a specific compound, a non-solvent curable composition including the quantum dot, a solvent based curable composition including the quantum dot, a cured layer manufactured utilizing the curable composition, a color filter including the cured layer, and a display device including the cured layer are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0091233, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jul. 26, 2019, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

This disclosure relates to a quantum dot, a curable composition including the same, a cured layer utilizing the composition, a color filter including the cured layer, and a display device including the cured layer.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the case of general (e.g., related art) quantum dots, due to hydrophobic surface characteristics, a solvent in which the quantum dots can be dispersed is limited. Thus, it is difficult to introduce (e.g., add) the quantum dots into a polar system such as a binder or a curable monomer.

For example, even in the case of a quantum dot ink composition (which is being actively researched), a polarity thereof is relatively low in an initial step and it may be dispersed in a solvent utilized in the curable composition having a high hydrophobicity. Because it is difficult to increase quantum dots to be 20 wt % or more based on a total amount of the composition, it is therefore difficult (e.g., impossible) to increase light efficiency (e.g., luminous efficiency, quantum efficiency, etc.) of the ink over a certain level. Even though quantum dots are additionally added and dispersed in order to increase light efficiency, a viscosity exceeds a range (e.g., 12 cPs) capable of ink-jetting and processability may be unsatisfactory. That is, when the viscosity of the quantum dot ink composition exceeds the range suitable (e.g., 12 cPs) for ink-jet printing due to the addition of additional quantum dots, processability may be compromised.

In order to achieve the viscosity range capable of (e.g., suitable for) ink-jetting, a method of lowering an ink solid content by dissolving (e.g., adding) 50 wt % or more of a solvent based on a total amount of the composition has been utilized, which also provides a somewhat satisfactory result in terms of viscosity. However, it may be considered to be a satisfactory result in terms of viscosity, but nozzle drying (due to solvent volatilization (e.g., evaporation)), nozzle clogging, loss of a layer (e.g., reduction of a layer width or thickness) as time passed after jetting may become worse and it is difficult to control a thickness deviation after curing. Thus, it is difficult to apply it (e.g., this method) to actual processes.

Therefore, a non-solvent based quantum dot ink that does not include a solvent is the embodied (e.g., most preferable) form to be applied to an actual process. The current technique of applying a quantum dot itself to a solvent based composition is now limited to a certain extent.

Currently, the embodied (e.g., most preferred) solvent based composition to be applied to actual processes is that the quantum dots, which are not surface-modified, such as ligand-substitution, are included in a content of about 20 wt % to 25 wt % based on a total amount of the solvent based composition. Therefore, it is difficult to increase light efficiency and absorption rate due to the viscosity limitation. Meanwhile, attempts have been made to lower the quantum dot content and increase the content of the light diffusing agent (scatterer) in other improvement directions, but this has also failed to solve a sedimentation problem and a low light efficiency problem.

SUMMARY

An aspect according to embodiments of the present disclosure is directed toward providing a surface-modified quantum dot having improved optical characteristics.

Another aspect according to embodiments of the present disclosure is directed toward providing a non-solvent curable composition including the quantum dot.

Another aspect according to embodiments of the present disclosure is directed toward providing a solvent based curable composition including the quantum dot.

Another aspect according to embodiments of the present disclosure is directed toward providing a cured layer manufactured utilizing the composition.

Another aspect according to embodiments of the present disclosure is directed toward providing a color filter including the cured layer.

Another aspect according to embodiments of the present disclosure is directed toward providing a display device including the cured layer and/or the color filter.

According to an embodiment, a quantum dot is surface-modified with a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1.

In Chemical Formula 1,

R¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 aryl group,

L¹ to L³ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group, an ester group, or an ether group,

n is an integer of 3 to 20, provided that when L² is an ester group and L³ is an unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group, n is an integer of 4 to 20.

L¹ and L³ may each independently be a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group and L² may be an ester group or an ether group.

The compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 may include at least one selected from compounds represented by Chemical Formula 1-1 to Chemical Formula 1-9.

The quantum dot may have a maximum fluorescence emission wavelength at about 500 nm to about 680 nm.

According to another embodiment, a non-solvent curable composition includes the quantum dot surface-modified with the compound represented by Chemical Formula 1; a polymerizable monomer having a carbon-carbon double bond at a terminal end; and a light diffusing agent, wherein the polymerizable monomer is about 35 wt % to about 80 wt % in amount based on a total weight of the non-solvent curable composition.

The polymerizable monomer may have a molecular weight of about 220 g/mol to about 1,000 g/mol.

The polymerizable monomer may be represented by Chemical Formula 2.

In Chemical Formula 2,

R² and R³ are each independently a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl group,

L⁴ and L⁶ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group, and

L⁵ is a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group or ether group.

The quantum dot may be about 1 wt % to about 60 wt % in amount based on a total weight of the non-solvent curable composition.

The light diffusing agent may include barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, zirconia, or a combination thereof.

The non-solvent curable composition may further include a polymerization initiator.

The non-solvent curable composition may further include a polymerization inhibitor; malonic acid; 3-amino-1,2-propanediol; a silane-based coupling agent; a leveling agent; a fluorine-based surfactant; or a combination thereof.

According to another embodiment, a solvent based curable composition includes the compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 that is surface-modified quantum dot; a binder resin; and a solvent.

The solvent based curable composition may further include a polymerizable monomer, a polymerization initiator, a light diffusing agent, or a combination thereof.

The solvent based curable composition may be a photosensitive resin composition.

According to another embodiment, a cured layer manufactured utilizing the composition is provided.

According to another embodiment, a color filter including the cured layer is provided.

In addition, according to another embodiment, a display device including the color filter is provided.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure are included in the following detailed description.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a quantum dot is surface-modified with a specific ligand. The surface-modified quantum dot may be more easily applied to all of photocurable compositions, solvent based thermosetting compositions, and non-solvent thermosetting compositions as compared to related art quantum dots, and thus may have improved viscosity and optical characteristics as well as processability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in more detail. However, these embodiments are exemplary, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the subject matter of the present disclosure is defined by the scope of claims and equivalents thereof.

As used herein, when specific definition is not otherwise provided, the term “alkyl group” refers to a C1 to C20 alkyl group, the term “alkenyl group” refers to a C2 to C20 alkenyl group, the term “cycloalkenyl group” refers to a C3 to C20 cycloalkenyl group, the term “heterocycloalkenyl group” refers to a C2 to C20 heterocycloalkenyl group, the term “aryl group” refers to a C6 to C20 aryl group, the term “arylalkyl group” refers to a C6 to C20 arylalkyl group, the term “alkylene group” refers to a C1 to C20 alkylene group, the term “arylene group” refers to a C6 to C20 arylene group, the term “alkylarylene group” refers to a C6 to C20 alkylarylene group, the term “heteroarylene group” refers to a C3 to C20 heteroarylene group, and the term “alkoxylene group” refers to a C1 to C20 alkoxylene group.

As used herein, when specific definition is not otherwise provided, the term “substituted” refers to replacement of at least one hydrogen atom by a substituent selected from a halogen atom (F, Cl, Br, or I), a hydroxyl group, a C1 to C20 alkoxy group, a nitro group, a cyano group, an amine group, an imino group, an azido group, an amidino group, a hydrazino group, a hydrazono group, a carbonyl group, a carbamyl group, a thiol group, an ester group, an ether group, a carboxyl group or a salt thereof, a sulfonic acid group or a salt thereof, a phosphoric acid or a salt thereof, a C1 to C20 alkyl group, a C2 to C20 alkenyl group, a C2 to C20 alkynyl group, a C6 to C20 aryl group, a C3 to C20 cycloalkyl group, a C3 to C20 cycloalkenyl group, a C3 to C20 cycloalkynyl group, a C2 to C20 heterocycloalkyl group, a C2 to C20 heterocycloalkenyl group, a C2 to C20 heterocycloalkynyl group, a C3 to C20 heteroaryl group, and a combination thereof.

As used herein, when specific definition is not otherwise provided, the term “hetero” refers to inclusion of at least one heteroatom selected from N, O, S, and P, in addition to carbon atom(s), in the chemical formula.

As used herein, when specific definition is not otherwise provided, the term “(meth)acrylate” refers to both “acrylate” and “methacrylate”, and the term “(meth)acrylic acid” refers to both “acrylic acid” and “methacrylic acid.”

As used herein, when specific definition is not otherwise provided, the term “combination” refers to mixing or copolymerization.

As used herein, when a definition is not otherwise provided, hydrogen is bonded at the position where a chemical bond is supposed to exist but not drawn in a chemical formula.

As used herein, a cardo-based resin refers to a resin including at least one functional group represented by one selected from Chemical Formula 3-1 to Chemical Formula 3-11 in the backbone of the resin.

In addition, in the present specification, when a definition is not otherwise provided, “*” refers to a linking point with the same or different atom or chemical formula.

A quantum dot according to an embodiment may be a quantum dot that is surface-modified with a ligand having a polar group, i.e., a ligand having high affinity to a polymerizable monomer having a carbon-carbon double bond at the terminal end. In the case of the above-described surface-modified quantum dots, it is easy (e.g., very easy) to produce high-concentration or highly-concentrated quantum dot dispersion (with improvement of dispersibility of quantum dots for monomers), thereby realizing a non-solvent curable composition and significantly (e.g., greatly) improving light efficiency.

For example, the ligand having the polar group may have a structure having a high affinity to a chemical structure of the monomer including the compound having the carbon-carbon double bond.

For example, the ligand having the polar group may be represented by Chemical Formula 1, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

In Chemical Formula 1,

R¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 aryl group,

L¹ to L³ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group, an ester group, or an ether group, and

n is an integer of 3 to 20, provided that when L² is an ester group and L³ is an unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group, n is an integer of 4 to 20.

For example, in Chemical Formula 1, L¹ and L³ may each independently be a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group, and L² may be an ester group (*—C(═O)O—*or*—O(C═O)—*) or an ether group (*—O—*).

The compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 may include at least one selected from compounds represented by Chemical Formula 1-1 to Chemical Formula 1-9, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

In case that the compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, for example, the compound represented by one of Chemical Formula 1-1 to Chemical Formula 1-9, is utilized as a ligand, it is easier to surface-modify the quantum dot. When the quantum dot surface-modified with the ligand is added to the aforementioned monomers and is stirred, a transparent (e.g., very transparent) dispersion may be obtained, which is a measure to confirm that the quantum dot is well surface-modified.

For example, the quantum dot may have a maximum fluorescence emission wavelength of about 500 nm to about 680 nm.

A non-solvent curable composition according to another embodiment includes the quantum dot according to an embodiment (the quantum dot surface-modified with the compound of Chemical Formula 1), a polymerizable monomer, and a light diffusing agent, wherein the polymerizable monomer is included in an amount of about 35 wt % to about 80 wt % based on a total amount of the non-solvent curable composition.

An embodiment relates to a non-solvent curable composition including a quantum dot. In one embodiment, the quantum dot-containing curable composition (ink) has been developed to include (e.g., specifically utilize) a thiol binder or monomer (a resin for a quantum dot sheet (film) including 4T (e.g., monomer with four thiol groups)) that has good compatibility with the quantum dot.

On the other hand, because a generally and widely utilized polymerizable monomer, an -ene-based monomer (including a vinyl-based monomer, an acrylate-based monomer, a methacrylate-based monomer, and/or the like which include a mono-functional monomer or a multi-functional monomer) has low compatibility with the quantum dot and is limited in terms of dispersibility of the quantum dot, various developments for usefully applying it to the curable composition including the quantum dot are substantially difficult. In addition, the -ene-based monomer does not show high concentration quantum dot dispersibility and thus has difficulties in being applied to (e.g., included in) the curable composition including the quantum dot.

Because of this drawback, the curable composition including the quantum dot has been developed to have a composition including a solvent in a considerable amount (greater than or equal to about 50 wt %). But when the solvent content is increased, ink-jetting processability may be deteriorated. Accordingly, in order to satisfy the ink-jetting processability, a demand for a non-solvent curable composition is continuously increased.

An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to the increasing demand for the non-solvent curable composition, which may have an effect (e.g., a passivation effect) of not deteriorating inherent optical characteristics of the quantum dot as well as providing high concentration dispersibility of the quantum dots even in a solvent-free system (by including about 40 wt % to about 80 wt % of the polymerizable monomer including a compound having a carbon-carbon double bond at the terminal end along with the quantum dot based on a total weight of the curable composition) and thus improving affinity of the quantum dots to the curable composition.

Hereinafter, each component is specifically described in more detail.

Quantum Dot

The quantum dot included in the non-solvent curable composition may be a quantum dot surface-modified with the compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

For example, the quantum dot absorbs light in a wavelength region of about 360 nm to about 780 nm, for example, about 400 nm to about 780 nm, and emits fluorescence in a wavelength region of about 500 nm to about 700 nm, for example about 500 nm to about 580 nm, or about 600 nm to about 680 nm. That is, the quantum dot may have a maximum fluorescence emission wavelength (λ_(em)) at about 500 nm to about 680 nm.

The quantum dots may each independently have a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of about 20 nm to about 100 nm, for example, about 20 nm to about 50 nm. When the quantum dot has a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of these ranges, color reproducibility is increased when utilized as a color material in a color filter due to high color purity.

The quantum dots may each independently be an organic material, an inorganic material, or a hybrid (mixture) of an organic material and an inorganic material.

The quantum dots may each independently include (e.g., be composed of) a core and a shell around (e.g., surrounding) the core, and the core and the shell may each independently have a structure of a core, core/shell, core/first shell/second shell, alloy, alloy/shell, and/or the like, each composed of Group II-IV elements, Group III-V elements, and/or the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

For example, the core may include at least one material selected from CdS, CdSe, CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, GaN, GaP, GaAs, InP, InAs, and an alloy thereof, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. The shell around (e.g., surrounding) the core may include at least one material selected from CdSe, ZnSe, ZnS, ZnTe, CdTe, PbS, TiO, SrSe, HgSe, and a alloy thereof, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

In an embodiment, because an interest in the environment has recently been much increased over the whole world, and a regulation of a toxic material has also been fortified (e.g., tightened), a non-cadmium-based light emitting material (InP/ZnS, InP/ZnSe/ZnS, etc.) having slightly lower (e.g., little low) quantum efficiency (quantum yield) but being environmentally-friendly (instead of a light emitting material having a cadmium-based core) is utilized, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

In the case of the quantum dots of the core/shell structure, an entire size including the shell (an average particle diameter) may be about 1 nm to about 15 nm, for example, about 5 nm to about 15 nm.

For example, the quantum dots may each independently be a red quantum dot, a green quantum dot, or a combination thereof. The red quantum dots may each independently have an average particle diameter of about 10 nm to about 15 nm. The green quantum dots may each independently have an average particle diameter of about 5 nm to about 8 nm.

Also, for dispersion stability of the quantum dots, the non-solvent curable composition according to an embodiment may further include a dispersing agent. The dispersing agent helps with the uniform dispersibility of a photo-conversion material such as a quantum dot in the non-solvent curable composition and may include a non-ionic, anionic, and/or cationic dispersing agent. For example, the dispersing agent may be polyalkylene glycol or esters thereof, a polyoxy alkylene, a polyhydric alcohol ester alkylene oxide addition product, an alcohol alkylene oxide addition product, a sulfonate ester, a sulfonate salt, a carboxylate ester, a carboxylate salt, an alkyl amide alkylene oxide addition product, an alkyl amine and/or the like, and may be utilized alone or in a mixture of two or more. The dispersing agent may be utilized in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 100 wt %, for example, about 10 wt % to about 20 wt %, relative to a solid content of the photo-conversion material such as quantum dots.

The quantum dots, for example, the surface-modified quantum dots may be included in an amount of about 1 wt % to about 60 wt %, for example, about 5 wt % to about 50 wt %, based on a total solid amount of the non-solvent curable composition. When the quantum dots, for example, the surface-modified quantum dots, are included within these ranges, a photo-conversion rate may be improved, and pattern characteristics and development characteristics may not be interfered with, so that the non-solvent curable composition may have suitable (e.g., excellent) processability.

Polymerizable Monomer Having Carbon-Carbon Double Bond at the Terminal End

The monomer having the carbon-carbon double bond at the terminal end may (e.g., should) be included in an amount of about 35 wt % to about 80 wt % based on a total amount of the non-solvent curable composition. For example, the monomer having the carbon-carbon double bond at the terminal end may be included in an amount of about 40 wt % to about 80 wt % based on a total amount of the non-solvent curable composition. When the monomer having the carbon-carbon double bond at the terminal end is included within these ranges, a non-solvent curable composition having a viscosity capable of (e.g., suitable for) ink-jetting may be prepared and the quantum dots in the prepared non-solvent curable composition may have improved dispersibility, thereby improving optical characteristics.

For example, the monomer having the carbon-carbon double bond at the terminal end may have a molecular weight of about 220 g/mol to about 1,000 g/mol. When the monomer having the carbon-carbon double bond at the terminal end has a molecular weight within this range, it may be suitable (e.g., advantageous) for ink-jetting because it does not increase the viscosity of the composition and does not hinder the optical characteristics of the quantum dot.

For example, the monomer having the carbon-carbon double bond at the terminal end may be represented by Chemical Formula 2, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

In Chemical Formula 2,

R² and R³ are each independently a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl group,

L⁴ and L⁶ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group, and

L⁵ is a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group or an ether group.

For example, the monomer having the carbon-carbon double bond at the terminal end may be represented by Chemical Formula 2-1 or 2-2, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

For example, the monomer having the carbon-carbon double bond at the terminal end may further include ethylene glycoldiacrylate, triethylene glycoldiacrylate, 1,4-butanedioldiacrylate, 1,6-hexanedioldiacrylate, neopentylglycoldiacrylate, pentaerythritoldiacrylate, pentaerythritoltriacrylate, dipentaerythritoldiacrylate, dipentaerythritoltriacrylate, dipentaerythritolpentaacrylate, pentaerythritolhexaacrylate, bisphenol A diacrylate, trimethylolpropanetriacrylate, novolacepoxyacrylate, ethylene glycoldimethacrylate, triethylene glycoldimethacrylate, propylene glycoldimethacrylate, 1,4-butanedioldimethacrylate, 1,6-hexanedioldimethacrylate, or a combination thereof in addition to the aforementioned compound of Chemical Formula 2-1 or Chemical Formula 2-2.

In addition, together with the monomer having the carbon-carbon double bond at the terminal end, a suitable (e.g., generally-utilized) monomer of a related art thermosetting or photocurable composition may be further included. For example the monomer may further include an oxetane-based compound such as bis[1-ethyl (3-oxetanyl)]methyl ether, and/or the like.

Light Diffusing Agent (or Light Diffusing Agent Dispersion)

The non-solvent curable composition according to an embodiment may include a light diffusing agent.

For example, the light diffusing agent may include barium sulfate (BaSO₄), calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), titanium dioxide (TiO₂), zirconia (ZrO₂), or a combination thereof.

The light diffusing agent may reflect unabsorbed light in the aforementioned quantum dots and allow the quantum dots to absorb the reflected light again. That is, the light diffusing agent may increase an amount of light absorbed by the quantum dots and increase photo-conversion efficiency of the curable composition.

The light diffusing agent may have an average particle diameter (D₅₀) of about 100 nm to about 250 nm and for example, about 150 nm to about 230 nm. When the average particle diameter of the light diffusing agent is within these ranges, it may have a better light diffusing effect and increase photo-conversion efficiency.

The light diffusing agent may be included in an amount of about 1 wt % to about 20 wt %, for example about 5 wt % to about 10 wt % based on a total solid amount of the non-solvent curable composition. When the light diffusing agent is included in an amount of less than about 1 wt % based on a total amount of the non-solvent curable composition, it is difficult to expect a photo-conversion efficiency improvement effect due to the usage of the light diffusing agent, while when it is included in an amount of greater than about 20 wt %, there is a possibility that the quantum dot may be precipitated.

Polymerization Initiator

The photopolymerization initiator is a suitable (e.g., generally-utilized) initiator for a photosensitive resin composition, for example, an acetophenone-based compound, a benzophenone-based compound, a thioxanthone-based compound, a benzoin-based compound, a triazine-based compound, an oxime-based compound, an aminoketone-based compound, and/or the like, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

Examples of the acetophenone-based compound may be 2,2′-diethoxy acetophenone, 2,2′-dibutoxy acetophenone, 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropinophenone, p-t-butyltrichloro acetophenone, p-t-butyldichloro acetophenone, 4-chloro acetophenone, 2,2′-dichloro-4-phenoxy acetophenone, 2-methyl-1-(4-(methylthio)phenyl)-2-morpholinopropan-1-one, 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)-butan-1-one, and/or the like.

Examples of the benzophenone-based compound may be benzophenone, benzoyl benzoate, benzoyl methyl benzoate, 4-phenyl benzophenone, hydroxybenzophenone, acrylated benzophenone, 4,4′-bis(dimethyl amino)benzophenone, 4,4′-bis(diethylamino)benzophenone, 4,4′-dimethylaminobenzophenone, 4,4′-dichlorobenzophenone, 3,3′-dimethyl-2-methoxybenzophenone, and/or the like.

Examples of the thioxanthone-based compound may be thioxanthone, 2-methylthioxanthone, isopropyl thioxanthone, 2,4-diethyl thioxanthone, 2,4-diisopropyl thioxanthone, 2-chlorothioxanthone, and/or the like.

Examples of the benzoin-based compound may be benzoin, benzoin methyl ether, benzoin ethyl ether, benzoin isopropyl ether, benzoin isobutyl ether, benzyldimethylketal, and/or the like.

Examples of the triazine-based compound may be 2,4,6-trichloro-s-triazine, 2-phenyl-4,6-bis(trichloromethyl)-s-triazine, 2-(3′,4′-dimethoxystyryl)-4,6-bis(trichloromethyl)-s-triazine, 2-(4′-methoxynaphthyl)-4,6-bis(trichloromethyl)-s-triazine, 2-(p-methoxyphenyl)-4,6-bis(trichloromethyl)-s-triazine, 2-(p-tolyl)-4,6-bis(trichloromethyl)-s-triazine, 2-biphenyl-4,6-bis(trichloro methyl)-s-triazine, bis(trichloromethyl)-6-styryl-s-triazine, 2-(naphthol-1-yl)-4,6-bis(trichloromethyl)-s-triazine, 2-(4-methoxynaphthol-1-yl)-4,6-bis(trichloromethyl)-s-triazine, 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-piperonyl-s-triazine, 2,4-bis(trichloromethyl)-6-(4-methoxystyryl)-s-triazine, and/or the like.

Examples of the oxime-based compound may be O-acyloxime-based compound, 2-(O-benzoyloxime)-1-[4-(phenylthio)phenyl]-1,2-octandione, 1-(O-acetyloxime)-1-[9-ethyl-6-(2-methylbenzoyl)-9H-carbazol-3-yl]ethanone, O-ethoxycarbonyl-α-oxyamino-1-phenylpropan-1-one, and/or the like. Non-limiting specific examples of the O-acyloxime-based compound may be 1,2-octandione, 2-dimethylamino-2-(4-methylbenzyl)-1-(4-morpholin-4-yl-phenyl)-butan-1-one, 1-(4-phenylsulfanyl phenyl)-butane-1,2-dione-2-oxime-O-benzoate, 1-(4-phenylsulfanyl phenyl)-octane-1,2-dione-2-oxime-O-benzoate, 1-(4-phenylsulfanyl phenyl)-octan-1-oneoxime-O-acetate, 1-(4-phenylsulfanyl phenyl)-butan-1-oneoxime-O-acetate, and/or the like.

Examples of the am inoketone-based compound may be 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-1-(4-morpholinophenyl)-butan-1-one, and/or the like.

The photopolymerization initiator may further include a carbazole-based compound, a diketone-based compound, a sulfonium borate-based compound, a diazo-based compound, an imidazole-based compound, a biimidazole-based compound, and/or the like, besides the compounds described above.

The photopolymerization initiator may be utilized with a photosensitizer capable of causing a chemical reaction by absorbing light and becoming excited and then, transferring its energy.

Examples of the photosensitizer may be tetraethylene glycol bis-3-mercapto propionate, pentaerythritol tetrakis-3-mercapto propionate, dipentaerythritol tetrakis-3-mercapto propionate, and/or the like.

Examples of the thermal polymerization initiator may be peroxide, such as benzoyl peroxide, dibenzoyl peroxide, lauryl peroxide, dilauryl peroxide, di-tert-butyl peroxide, cyclohexane peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, hydroperoxide (e.g., tert-butyl hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide), dicyclohexyl peroxydicarbonate, t-butyl peroxybenzoate, and/or the like; azo polymerization initiators, such as 2,2-azo-bis(isobutyronitrile), 2,2′-azobis-2-methylpropinonitrile, and/or the like, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto and any suitable thermal polymerization initiator (e.g., of which is well known in the art) may be utilized.

The polymerization initiator may be included in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %, for example, about 1 wt % to about 4 wt %, based on a total amount of a non-solvent curable composition. When the polymerization initiator is included in these ranges, it is possible to obtain suitable (e.g., excellent) reliability due to sufficient curing (during exposure or thermal curing) and to reduce or prevent deterioration of transmittance (due to non-reaction initiators), thereby reducing or preventing deterioration of optical characteristics of the quantum dots.

Other Additives

For stability and dispersion improvement of the quantum dots, the non-solvent curable composition according to an embodiment may further include a polymerization inhibitor.

The polymerization inhibitor may include a hydroquinone-based compound, a catechol-based compound, or a combination thereof, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. When the non-solvent curable composition according to an embodiment further includes the hydroquinone-based compound, the catechol-based compound, or the combination thereof, room temperature cross-linking during exposure after coating the non-solvent curable composition may be prevented or inhibited.

For example, the hydroquinone-based compound, the catechol-based compound, or the combination thereof may be hydroquinone, methyl hydroquinone, methoxyhydroquinone, t-butyl hydroquinone, 2,5-di-t-butyl hydroquinone, 2,5-bis(1,1-dimethylbutyl) hydroquinone, 2,5-bis(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl) hydroquinone, catechol, t-butyl catechol, 4-methoxyphenol, pyrogallol, 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol, 2-naphthol, tris(N-hydroxy-N-nitrosophenylaminato-O,O′)aluminum, or a combination thereof, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

The hydroquinone-based compound, the catechol-based compound, or the combination thereof may be utilized in a form of dispersion. The polymerization inhibitor in a form of dispersion may be included in an amount of about 0.001 wt % to about 3 wt %, for example, about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt %, based on a total amount of the non-solvent curable composition. When the polymerization inhibitor is included in these ranges, passage of time at room temperature may be solved and simultaneously sensitivity deterioration and surface delamination phenomenon may be reduced or prevented. That is, when the polymerization inhibitor is included in these ranges, the room temperature stability of the non-solvent curable composition may be improved, and reduction in curing sensitivity and delamination of the coating layer may both be reduced or prevented.

In addition, the non-solvent curable composition according to an embodiment may further include malonic acid; 3-amino-1,2-propanediol; a silane-based coupling agent; a leveling agent; a fluorine-based surfactant; or a combination thereof in order to improve heat resistance and reliability.

For example, the non-solvent curable composition according to an embodiment may further include a silane-based coupling agent having a reactive substituent such as a vinyl group, a carboxyl group, a methacryloxy group, an isocyanate group, an epoxy group and/or the like in order to improve close contacting (e.g., adhesion) properties with a substrate.

Examples of the silane-based coupling agent may be trimethoxysilyl benzoic acid, γ-methacryl oxypropyl trimethoxysilane, vinyl triacetoxysilane, vinyl trimethoxysilane, γ-isocyanate propyl triethoxysilane, γ-glycidoxy propyl trimethoxysilane, β-epoxycyclohexylethyltrimethoxysilane, and/or the like, and the silane-based coupling agent may be utilized alone or in a mixture of two or more.

The silane-based coupling agent may be utilized in an amount of about 0.01 parts by weight to about 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the non-solvent curable composition. When the silane-based coupling agent is included within this range, close contacting (e.g., adhesion) properties, storage capability, and/or the like are suitable (e.g., excellent).

In addition, the non-solvent curable composition may further include a surfactant, for example, a fluorine-based surfactant, as needed in order to improve coating properties and inhibit generation of spots, that is, to improve leveling performance.

The fluorine-based surfactant may have a low weight average molecular weight of about 4,000 g/mol to about 10,000 g/mol, and for example, about 6,000 g/mol to about 10,000 g/mol. In addition, the fluorine-based surfactant may have a surface tension of 18 mN/m to 23 mN/m (measured in a 0.1% polyethylene glycol monomethylether acetate (PGMEA) solution). When the fluorine-based surfactant has a weight average molecular weight and a surface tension within the ranges described above, leveling performance may be further improved, and suitable (e.g., excellent) characteristics may be provided when slit coating as high speed coating is applied because less film defects may be generated by reducing or preventing a spot generation during the high speed coating and suppressing a vapor generation. That is, when the fluorine-based surfactant has a weight average molecular weight and a surface tension within the ranges described above, leveling performance may be further improved, and when coated utilizing high speed slit coating, spot generation and vapor generation may be reduced or prevented, thereby reducing film defects.

Examples of the fluorine-based surfactant may be, BM-1000®, and BM-1100® (BM Chemie Inc.); MEGAFACE F 142D®, F 172®, F 173®, and F 183® (Dainippon Ink Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.); FULORAD FC-135®, FULORAD FC-170C®, FULORAD FC-430®, and FULORAD FC-431° (Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.); SURFLON S-112®, SURFLON S-113®, SURFLON S-131®, SURFLON S-141®, and SURFLON S-145® (ASAHI Glass Co., Ltd.); and SH-28PA®, SH-190®, SH-193®, SZ-6032®, and SF-8428®, and the like (Toray Silicone Co., Ltd.); and F-482, F-484, F-478, F-554 and the like of DIC Co., Ltd.

In addition, the non-solvent curable composition according to an embodiment may include a silicone-based surfactant in addition to the fluorine-based surfactant. Specific examples of the silicone-based surfactant may be TSF400, TSF401, TSF410, TSF4440, and the like of Toshiba silicone Co., Ltd., but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The surfactant may be included in an amount of about 0.01 parts by weight to about 5 parts by weight, for example, about 0.1 parts by weight to about 2 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the non-solvent curable composition. When the surfactant is included within these ranges, less foreign materials are produced (or included) in a sprayed composition.

In addition, the non-solvent curable composition according to an embodiment may further include other additives such as an antioxidant, a stabilizer, and/or the like in a set or predetermined amount, unless desired properties are deteriorated (when these additives are included).

Another embodiment provides a solvent based curable composition including the quantum dot surface-modified with the compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, a binder resin, and a solvent.

The quantum dot surface-modified with the compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 is the same as described above. However, the quantum dot surface-modified with the compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 may be included in an amount of about 1 wt % to about 40 wt %, for example, about 1 wt % to about 30 wt %, based on a total amount of the solvent based curable composition. When the quantum dot surface-modified with the compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 is included within these ranges, a photo-conversion rate may be improved, and pattern characteristics and development characteristics may not be interfered with, so that the non-solvent curable composition may have suitable (e.g., excellent) processability.

Binder Resin

The binder resin may include an acryl-based resin, a cardo-based resin, an epoxy resin, or a combination thereof.

The acryl-based resin is a copolymer of a first ethylenic unsaturated monomer and a second ethylenic unsaturated monomer that are copolymerizable with each other, and may be a resin including at least one acryl-based repeating unit.

The first ethylenic unsaturated monomer is an ethylenic unsaturated monomer including at least one carboxyl group, and examples of the monomer include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, fumaric acid, and/or a combination thereof.

The first ethylenic unsaturated monomer may be included in an amount of about 5 wt % to about 50 wt %, for example, about 10 wt % to about 40 wt %, based on a total amount of the acryl-based binder resin.

The second ethylenic unsaturated monomer may be an aromatic vinyl compound (such as styrene, a-methylstyrene, vinyl toluene, vinylbenzylmethylether and/or the like); an unsaturated carboxylate ester compound (such as methyl(meth)acrylate, ethyl(meth)acrylate, butyl(meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxy butyl(meth)acrylate, benzyl(meth)acrylate, cyclohexyl(meth)acrylate, phenyl(meth)acrylate, and/or the like); an unsaturated amino alkyl carboxylate ester compound (such as 2-aminoethyl(meth)acrylate, 2-dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate, and/or the like); a carboxylic acid vinyl ester compound (such as vinyl acetate, vinyl benzoate, and/or the like); an unsaturated glycidyl carboxylate ester compound (such as glycidyl(meth)acrylate, and/or the like); a vinyl cyanide compound (such as (meth)acrylonitrile and/or the like); an unsaturated amide compound (such as (meth)acrylamide, and/or the like); and/or the like, and may be utilized alone or as a mixture of two or more.

Specific examples of the acryl-based binder resin may be a polybenzylmethacrylate, (meth)acrylic acid/benzylmethacrylate copolymer, a (meth)acrylic acid/benzylmethacrylate/styrene copolymer, a (meth)acrylic acid/benzylmethacrylate/2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate copolymer, a (meth)acrylic acid/benzylmethacrylate/styrene/2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate copolymer, and/or the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the acryl-based resin may be utilized alone or as a mixture of two or more.

A weight average molecular weight of the acryl-based binder resin may be about 5,000 g/mol to about 15,000 g/mol. When the acryl-based binder resin has a weight average molecular weight within this range, close contacting (e.g., adhesion) properties to a substrate, physical and chemical properties are improved, and a viscosity of the solvent-based curable composition is appropriate (e.g., suitable).

The cardo-based resin may include a repeating unit represented by Chemical Formula 3.

In Chemical Formula 3,

R³¹ and R³² are each independently a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted (meth)acryloyloxy alkyl group,

R³³ and R³⁴ are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 alkyl group,

Z¹ is a single bond, O, CO, SO₂, CR³⁵R³⁶, SiR³⁷R³⁸ (wherein, R³⁵ to R³⁸ are each independently a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 alkyl group), or one of linking groups represented by Chemical Formula 3-1 to Chemical Formula 3-11.

In Chemical Formula 3-5,

R^(a) is a hydrogen atom, an ethyl group, C₂H₄Cl, C₂H₄OH, CH₂CH═CH₂, or a phenyl group.

Z² is an acid anhydride residual group, and

t1 and t2 are each independently an integer from 0 to 4.

A weight average molecular weight of the cardo-based binder resin may be about 500 g/mol to about 50,000 g/mol, for example, about 1,000 g/mol to about 30,000 g/mol. When the weight average molecular weight of the cardo-based binder resin is within these ranges, a satisfactory pattern may be formed without a residue during a manufacture of a cured layer (e.g., during the curing process of the coating layer) and without losing a film thickness during development of the solvent based curable composition.

The cardo-based binder resin may include a functional group represented by Chemical Formula 4 at at least one terminal end of the two (i.e., both) terminal ends.

In Chemical Formula 4,

Z³ is represented by one of Chemical Formula 4-1 to Chemical Formula 4-7.

In Chemical Formula 4-1, R^(b) and R^(c) are each independently a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 alkyl group, an ester group, or an ether group.

In Chemical Formula 4-5, R^(d) is O, S, NH, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 alkylene group, a C1 to C20 alkylamine group, or a C2 to C20 alkenylamine group.

The cardo-based resin may be, for example, prepared by mixing at least two selected from a fluorene-containing compound (such as 9,9-bis(4-oxiranylmethoxyphenyl)fluorene); an anhydride compound (such as benzenetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, biphenyltetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, pyromellitic dianhydride, cyclobutanetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, perylenetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, tetrahydrofurantetracarboxylic acid dianhydride, and/or tetrahydrophthalic anhydride); a glycol compound (such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and/or polyethylene glycol); an alcohol compound (such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, n-butanol, cyclohexanol, and/or benzylalcohol); a solvent-based compound (such as propylene glycol methylethylacetate, and/or N-methylpyrrolidone); a phosphorus compound (such as triphenylphosphine); and an amine or ammonium salt compound (such as tetramethylammonium chloride, tetraethylammonium bromide, benzyldiethylamine, triethylamine, tributylamine, and/or benzyltriethylammonium chloride).

When the binder resin is a cardo-based resin, the solvent based curable composition including the binder resin, for example (e.g., particularly), the photosensitive resin composition, may have suitable (e.g., excellent) developability and sensitivity during photo-curing and thus, may have suitable (e.g., fine) pattern-forming capability.

An acid value of the acryl-based resin may be about 80 mgKOH/g to about 130 mgKOH/g. When the acryl-based resin has an acid value within this range, suitable (e.g., excellent) resolution of a pixel may be obtained.

The epoxy resin may be a thermally polymerizable monomer or oligomer, and may include a compound having a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond and a carbon-carbon cyclic bond.

The epoxy resin may further include a bisphenol A epoxy resin, a bisphenol F epoxy resin, a phenol novolac epoxy resin, a cyclic aliphatic epoxy resin, and/or an aliphatic polyglycidyl ether, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

Suitable commercially available product of the compound (e.g., epoxy resin) may be a bisphenyl epoxy resin (such as YX4000, YX4000H, YL6121H, YL6640, or YL6677 of Yuka Shell Epoxy Co.); a cresol novolac epoxy resin (such as EOCN-102, EOCN-103S, EOCN-104S, EOCN-1020, EOCN-1025, and EOCN-1027 of Nippon Kayaku Co. Ltd. and EPIKOTE 180S75, and the like of Yuka Shell Epoxy Co.); a bisphenol A epoxy resin (such as EPIKOTE 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1007, 1009, 1010 and 828 of Yuka Shell Epoxy Co.); a bisphenol F epoxy resin (such as EPIKOTE 807 and 834 of Yuka Shell Epoxy Co.); a phenol novolac epoxy resin (such as EPIKOTE 152, 154, or 157H65 of Yuka Shell Epoxy Co. and EPPN 201, 202 of Nippon Kayaku Co. Ltd.); a cyclic aliphatic epoxy resin (such as CY175, CY177 and CY179 of CIBA-GEIGY A.G Corp., ERL-4234, ERL-4299, ERL-4221 and ERL-4206 of U.C.C., Showdyne 509 of Showa Denko K.K., Araldite CY-182 of CIBA-GEIGY A.G Corp., CY-192 and CY-184, Dainippon Ink & Chemicals Inc., EPICLON 200 and 400, EPIKOTE 871, 872 of Yuka Shell Epoxy Co., and EP1032H60, ED-5661 and ED-5662 of Celanese Coating Corporation); an aliphatic polyglycidylether (such as EPIKOTE 190P and 191P of Yuka Shell Epoxy Co., EPOLITE 100MF of Kyoeisha Yushi Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd., EPIOL TMP of Nihon Yushi K. K.), and/or the like.

The binder resin may be included in an amount of about 1 wt % to about 30 wt %, for example, about 1 wt % to about 20 wt %, based on a total amount of the solvent based curable composition. When the binder resin is included in these ranges, developability is suitable (e.g., excellent) and cross-linking is improved to obtain suitable (e.g., excellent) surface smoothness.

Solvent

The solvent may include, for example, alcohols (such as methanol, ethanol, and/or the like); glycol ethers (such as ethylene glycol methylether, ethylene glycol ethylether, propylene glycol methylether, and/or the like); cellosolve acetates (such as methyl cellosolve acetate, ethyl cellosolve acetate, diethyl cellosolve acetate, and/or the like); carbitols (such as methylethyl carbitol, diethyl carbitol, diethylene glycol monomethylether, diethylene glycol monoethylether, diethylene glycol dimethylether, diethylene glycol methylethylether, diethylene glycol diethylether, and/or the like); propylene glycol alkylether acetates (such as propylene glycol monomethylether acetate, propylene glycol propylether acetate, and/or the like); ketones (such as methylethylketone, cyclohexanone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentanone, methyl-n-propylketone, methyl-n-butylketone, methyl-n-amylketone, 2-heptanone, and/or the like); saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid alkyl esters (such as ethyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, and/or the like); lactate esters (such as methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, and/or the like); hydroxy acetic acid alkyl esters (such as methyl hydroxyacetate, ethyl hydroxyacetate, butyl hydroxyacetate, and/or the like); acetic acid alkoxyalkyl esters (such as methoxymethyl acetate, methoxyethyl acetate, methoxybutyl acetate, ethoxymethyl acetate, ethoxyethyl acetate, and/or the like); 3-hydroxypropionic acid alkyl esters (such as methyl 3-hydroxypropionate, ethyl 3-hydroxypropionate, and/or the like); 3-alkoxypropionic acid alkyl esters (such as methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, methyl 3-ethoxypropionate, and/or the like); 2-hydroxypropionic acid alkyl ester (such as methyl 2-hydroxypropionate, ethyl 2-hydroxypropionate, propyl 2-hydroxypropionate, and/or the like); 2-alkoxypropionic acid alkyl esters (such as methyl 2-methoxypropionate, ethyl 2-methoxypropionate, ethyl 2-ethoxypropionate, methyl 2-ethoxypropionate, and/or the like); 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid alkyl esters (such as methyl 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate, ethyl 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionate, and/or the like); 2-alkoxy-2-methylpropionic acid alkyl esters (such as methyl 2-methoxy-2-methylpropionate, ethyl 2-ethoxy-2-methylpropionate, and/or the like); esters (such as 2-hydroxyethyl propionate, 2-hydroxy-2-methylethyl propionate, hydroxyethyl acetate, methyl 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutanoate, and/or the like); and/or ketonate esters (such as ethyl pyruvate, and/or the like), and in addition, may include N-methylformamide, N,N-dimethyl formamide, N-methylformanilide, N-methylacetamide, N,N-dimethyl acetamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylsulfoxide, benzylethylether, dihexylether, acetylacetone, isophorone, caproic acid, caprylic acid, 1-octanol, 1-nonanol, benzyl alcohol, benzyl acetate, ethyl benzoate, diethyl oxalate, diethyl maleate, γ-butyrolactone, ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, phenyl cellosolve acetate, and/or the like, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

For example, the solvent may be desirably glycol ethers (such as ethylene glycol monoethylether, ethylene diglycolmethylethylether, and/or the like); ethylene glycol alkylether acetates (such as ethyl cellosolve acetate, and/or the like); esters (such as 2-hydroxy ethyl propionate, and/or the like); carbitols (such as diethylene glycol monomethylether, and/or the like); propylene glycol alkylether acetates (such as propylene glycol monomethylether acetate, propylene glycol propylether acetate, and/or the like); alcohols (such as ethanol, and/or the like), or a combination thereof.

For example, the solvent may be a polar solvent including propylene glycol monomethylether acetate, dipropylene glycol methylether acetate, ethanol, ethylene glycoldimethylether, ethylenediglycolmethylethylether, diethylene glycoldimethylether, 2-butoxyethanol, N-methylpyrrolidine, N-ethylpyrrolidine, propylene carbonate, γ-butyrolactone or, a combination thereof.

The solvent may be included in an amount of about 20 wt % to about 80 wt %, for example, about 35 wt % to about 80 wt %, based on a total amount of the solvent based curable composition. When the solvent is within these ranges, the solvent based curable composition has appropriate viscosity and thus may have suitable (e.g., excellent) coating property when coated in a large area through spin-coating and/or slit-coating.

In one embodiment, the solvent based curable composition may further include at least one of a monomer having a carbon-carbon double bond at the terminal end, a polymerization initiator, a diffusing agent, and other additives.

The monomer having the carbon-carbon double bond may be included in an amount of about 1 wt % to about 10 wt %, for example, about 2 wt % to about 8 wt %, based on a total amount of the curable composition. When the monomer having the carbon-carbon double bond is included within these ranges, curing at exposure during a pattern forming processes is sufficiently performed, and heat resistance, light resistance, chemical resistance, resolution, and close contacting (e.g., adhesion) properties of the pattern are improved.

The polymerization initiator may be included in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 10 wt %, for example, about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %, based on a total amount of the solvent based curable composition. When the polymerization initiator is included within these ranges, a balance between sensitivity and developability during exposure is improved and a pattern having improved resolution without a residual film may be obtained.

The diffusing agent may be included in an amount of about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt %, for example, about 1 wt % to about 15 wt %, based on a total amount of the solvent based curable composition. When the diffusing agent is included in an amount of less than about 1 wt % based on a total amount of the solvent based curable composition, it is difficult to expect a photo-conversion efficiency improvement effect due to the usage of the diffusing agent, while when it is included in an amount of greater than about 20 wt %, pattern characteristics may be deteriorated.

For example, the solvent based curable composition may be a photosensitive resin composition. In this case, the solvent based curable composition may include a photopolymerization initiator as the polymerization initiator.

Another embodiment provides a cured layer manufactured utilizing the aforementioned non-solvent curable composition and/or solvent based curable composition, a color filter including the cured layer, and a display device including the color filter.

One of the methods of manufacturing the cured layer may include coating the aforementioned non-solvent curable composition and/or solvent based curable composition on a substrate utilizing an ink-jet spraying method to form a pattern (S1); and curing the pattern (S2).

(S1) Formation of Pattern

The non-solvent curable composition may desirably be coated to be about 0.5 μm to about 20 μm in thickness on a substrate in an ink-jet spraying method. The ink-jet spraying method may form a pattern by spraying a single color per each nozzle and thus repeating the spraying as many times as the number of colors needed, but the pattern may be formed by concurrently or simultaneously spraying the number of colors needed through each ink-jet nozzle in order to reduce the number of processes. That is, the pattern may be formed by concurrently spraying the number of colors needed through a plurality of nozzles (e.g., each containing one of the colors).

(S2) Curing

The obtained pattern is cured to obtain a pixel. Herein, the curing method may be thermal curing and/or photocuring process. The thermal curing process may be performed at greater than or equal to about 100° C., desirably, in a range of about 100° C. to about 300° C., and more desirably, in a range of about 160° C. to about 250° C. The photocuring process may include irradiating an actinic ray such as a UV ray of about 190 nm to about 450 nm, for example, about 200 nm to about 500 nm. The irradiating is performed by utilizing a light source such as a mercury lamp (with a low pressure, a high pressure, or an ultrahigh pressure), a metal halide lamp, an argon gas laser, and/or the like. An X ray, an electron beam, and/or the like may also be utilized as needed.

The other method of manufacturing the cured layer may include manufacturing a cured layer utilizing the aforementioned non-solvent curable composition and/or solvent based curable composition by a lithographic method as follows.

(1) Coating and Film Formation

The aforementioned curable resin composition is coated to have a desired thickness, for example, a thickness from about 2 μm to about 10 μm, on a substrate (which has undergone a set or predetermined pretreatment), utilizing a spin coating method, a slit coating method, a roll coating method, a screen-printing method, an applicator method, and/or the like. Then, the coated substrate is heated at a temperature of about 70° C. to about 90° C. for 1 minute to 10 minutes to remove a solvent and to form a film.

(2) Exposure

The resultant film is irradiated by an actinic ray such as a UV ray of about 190 nm to about 450 nm, for example, about 200 nm to about 500 nm, through a mask with a set or predetermined shape to form a desired pattern. The irradiation is performed by utilizing a light source such as a mercury lamp (with a low pressure, a high pressure, or an ultrahigh pressure), a metal halide lamp, an argon gas laser, and/or the like. An X ray, an electron beam, and/or the like may be also utilized as needed.

Exposure process utilizes, for example, a light dose of 500 mJ/cm² or less (with a 365 nm sensor) when a high pressure mercury lamp is utilized. However, the light dose may vary depending on kinds of each component of the curable composition, their combination ratio, and/or a dry film thickness.

(3) Development

After the exposure process, an alkali aqueous solution is utilized to develop the exposed film by dissolving and removing an unnecessary part except the exposed part, thereby forming an image pattern. In other words, when the alkali developing solution is utilized for the development, a non-exposed region is dissolved, and an image color filter pattern is formed.

(4) Post-Treatment

The developed image pattern may be heated again or irradiated by an actinic ray and/or the like for curing, in order to accomplish suitable (e.g., excellent) quality in terms of heat resistance, light resistance, close contacting (e.g., adhesion) properties, crack-resistance, chemical resistance, high strength, storage stability, and/or the like.

Hereinafter, the subject matter of the present disclosure is illustrated in more detail with reference to examples. These examples, however, are not in any sense to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

Preparation of Surface-Modified Quantum Dot Dispersion

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 1

92 g of thioglycolic acid (Sigma Aldrich Co., Ltd.), 400 g of polyoxyethylene monomethyl ether (Hannong Chemicals Inc.), 20 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (Sigma Aldrich Co., Ltd.), and 500 ml of cyclohexane were put together, and then, while the mixture was heated under a nitrogen atmosphere, so that cyclohexane could be refluxed, water produced therein was removed by utilizing a dean stark apparatus. When water was no longer produced, the reactants were cooled down to room temperature and then, washed by utilizing ethyl acetate and distilled water. The organic layer was neutralized by utilizing a NaOH diluent. Subsequently, the neutralized resultant was washed several times by utilizing distilled water, treated by utilizing MgSO₄ to dry the moisture, and then, concentrated under a reduced pressure to finally obtain a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1-1.

Preparation of Surface-Modified Quantum Dot Dispersion

A magnetic bar was put in a 3-neck round-bottomed round flask, and a quantum dot-CHA (cyclohexyl acetate) solution (solid content: 26 wt % to 27 wt %) was weighed and added thereto. The compound (ligand) represented by Chemical Formula 1-1 prepared above was added thereto.

The mixture was well mixed for 1 minute and then, stirred at 80° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. When the reaction was complete, the resultant was cooled down to room temperature, and added to cyclohexane to get precipitates. The precipitated quantum dot powder was separated from the cyclohexane through centrifugation. A clear solution was poured out and discarded, and then, the precipitates were sufficiently dried in a vacuum oven for one day to obtain surface-modified quantum dots.

The surface-modified quantum dots were stirred (e.g., mixed by stirring) with a monomer represented by Chemical Formula 2-1 (triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, Miwon Commercial Co., Ltd.) for 12 hours to obtain surface-modified quantum dot dispersion.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 2

92 g of thioglycolic acid (Sigma Aldrich Co., Ltd.), 206 g of tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether (a mixture of isomers, TCI), 10 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (Sigma Aldrich Co., Ltd.), and 500 ml of cyclohexane were put together, and then, while the mixture was heated under a nitrogen atmosphere, so that cyclohexane could be refluxed, water generated therein was removed by utilizing a dean stark apparatus. When water was no longer generated, the reactants were cooled down to room temperature and then, washed by utilizing ethyl acetate and an excessive amount of distilled water. The organic layer was neutralized by utilizing a NaOH diluent. Subsequently, the neutralized resultant was washed several times by utilizing distilled water, treated by utilizing MgSO₄ to dry moisture, and then, concentrated under a reduced pressure to finally obtain a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1-2.

Preparation of Surface-Modified Quantum Dot Dispersion

Surface-modified quantum dot dispersion was prepared according to the same method as Preparation Example 1 except that the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-2 was utilized instead of the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-1.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 3

106 g of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (Sigma Aldrich Co., Ltd.), 400 g of polyoxyethylene monomethyl ether (Hannong Chemicals Inc.), 20 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (Sigma Aldrich Co., Ltd.), and 500 ml of cyclohexane were put together, and then, while the mixture was heated under a nitrogen atmosphere so that cyclohexane could be refluxed, water generated therein was removed by utilizing a dean stark apparatus. When water was no longer generated, the reactants were cooled down to room temperature and then, washed by utilizing ethyl acetate and distilled water. The organic layer was neutralized by utilizing a NaOH diluent. Subsequently, the neutralized resultant was washed several times by utilizing distilled water, treated by utilizing MgSO₄ to dry moisture, and then, concentrated under a reduced pressure to finally obtain a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1-3.

Preparation of Surface-Modified Quantum Dot Dispersion

Surface-modified quantum dot dispersion was obtained according to the same method as Preparation Example 1 except that the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-3 was utilized instead of the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-1.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 4

106 g of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (Sigma Aldrich Co., Ltd.), 520 g of polyoxyethylene cumyl phenyl ether (Hannong Chemicals Inc.), 26 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (Sigma Aldrich Co., Ltd.), and 500 ml of cyclohexane were put together, and then, while the mixture was heated under a nitrogen atmosphere so that cyclohexane could be refluxed, water generated therein was removed by utilizing a dean stark apparatus. When water was no longer produced, the reactants were cooled down to room temperature and then, washed by utilizing ethyl acetate and distilled water. The organic layer was neutralized by utilizing a NaOH diluent. Subsequently, the neutralized resultant was washed several times by utilizing distilled water, treated by utilizing MgSO₄ to dry moisture, and then, concentrated under a reduced pressure to finally obtain a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1-4.

Preparation of Surface-Modified Quantum Dot Dispersion

Surface-modified quantum dot dispersion was obtained according to the same method as Preparation Example 1 except that the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-4 was utilized instead of the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-1.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 5

106 g of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (Sigma Aldrich Co., Ltd.), 934 g of polyoxyethylene styrenated phenyl ether (Hannong Chemicals Inc.), 46 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (Sigma Aldrich Co., Ltd.), and 1000 ml of cyclohexane were put together, and then, while the mixture was heated under a nitrogen atmosphere so that cyclohexane could be refluxed, water generated therein was removed by utilizing a dean stark apparatus. When water was no longer produced, the reactants were cooled down to room temperature and then, washed by utilizing ethyl acetate and distilled water. The organic layer was neutralized by utilizing a NaOH diluent. Subsequently, the neutralized resultant was washed several times by utilizing distilled water, treated by utilizing MgSO₄ to dry moisture, and then, concentrated under a reduced pressure to finally obtain a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1-5.

Preparation of Surface-Modified Quantum Dot Dispersion

Surface-modified quantum dot dispersion was obtained according to the same method as Preparation Example 1 except that the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-5 was utilized instead of the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-1.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 6

191 g of p-toluenesulfonic chloride and 150 mL of a THF diluted solution were slowly injected into a mixed solution of 208 g of tetraethylene glycol monomethyl ether, 44 g of NaOH, 500 mL of THF (tetrahydrofuran), and 100 mL of distilled water at 0° C. After 30 minutes, the injection is completed, the obtained mixture was continuously stirred at room temperature for 12 hours. When a reaction was complete, the resultant was purified through processes of extraction, neutralization, and concentration and then, sufficiently dried in a vacuum oven. The obtained product was put in a flask and dissolved in ethanol under a nitrogen atmosphere. 4 equivalents of thiourea were added thereto, and the obtained mixture was stirred at 100° C. for 12 hours. A NaOH diluted solution was injected into the reactants and then, further stirred for about 5 hours. When a reaction was complete, the resultant was washed several times and extracted with distilled water and a hydrochloric acid diluted solution, neutralized, concentrated and then, sufficiently dried in a vacuum oven to finally obtain a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1-6.

Preparation of Surface-Modified Quantum Dot Dispersion

Surface-modified quantum dot dispersion was obtained according to the same method as Preparation Example 1 except that the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-6 was utilized instead of the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-1.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 7

191 g of p-toluenesulfonic chloride and 150 mL of a THF diluted solution were slowly injected into a mixed solution of 400 g of polyoxyethylene monomethyl ether (Hannong Chemicals Inc.), 44 g of NaOH, 500 mL of THF, and 100 mL of distilled water at 0° C. After 30 minutes, the injection is completed, the obtained mixture was continuously stirred at room temperature for about 12 hours. When a reaction was complete, the resultant was purified through processes of extraction, neutralization, and concentration and then, sufficiently dried in a vacuum oven. The obtained product was put in a flask and then, dissolved in ethanol under a nitrogen atmosphere. 4 equivalents of thiourea were added thereto and then, stirred at 100° C. for 12 hours. A NaOH diluted solution was injected into the reactants and then, further stirred for about 5 hours. When a reaction was complete, the resultant was washed several times and extracted by utilizing distilled water and a hydrochloric acid diluted solution, neutralized, concentrated, and then, sufficiently dried in a vacuum oven to finally obtain a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1-7.

Preparation of Surface-Modified Quantum Dot Dispersion

Surface-modified quantum dot dispersion was obtained according to the same method as Preparation Example 1 except that the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-7 was utilized instead of the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-1.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 8

191 g of p-toluenesulfonic chloride and 150 mL of a THF diluted solution were slowly injected into a mixed solution of 270 g of polyoxyethylene phenyl ether (Hannong Chemicals Inc.), 44 g of NaOH, 500 mL of THF, and 100 mL of distilled water at 0° C. After 30 minutes, the injection is completed, the obtained mixture was continuously stirred at room temperature for 12 hours. When a reaction was complete, the resultant was purified through processes of extraction, neutralization, and concentration and then, dried in a vacuum oven. The obtained product was put in a flask and then, dissolved in ethanol under a nitrogen atmosphere. 4 equivalents of thiourea was added thereto and then, stirred at 100° C. for 12 hours. A NaOH diluted solution was injected into the reactants and then, further stirred for about 5 hours. When a reaction was complete, the resultant was washed several times and extracted with distilled water and a hydrochloric acid diluted solution, neutralized, concentrated, and then, sufficiently dried in a vacuum oven to finally obtain a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1-8.

Preparation of Surface-Modified Quantum Dot Dispersion

Surface-modified quantum dot dispersion was obtained according to the same method as Preparation Example 1 except that the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-8 was utilized instead of the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-1.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 9

191 g of p-toluenesulfonic chloride and 150 mL of a THF diluted solution were slowly injected into a mixed solution of 270 g of polyoxyethylene phenyl ether (Hannong Chemicals Inc.), 44 g of NaOH, 500 mL of THF, and 100 mL of distilled water at 0° C. After 30 minutes, the injection is completed, the obtained mixture was continuously stirred at room temperature for 12 hours. When the reaction was complete, the resultant was purified through extraction, neutralization, and concentration and then, sufficiently dried in a vacuum oven. The obtained product was put in a flask and then, dissolved in ethanol under a nitrogen atmosphere. 4 equivalents of thiourea were added thereto and then, stirred at 100° C. for 12 hours. A NaOH diluted solution was injected into the reactants and then, further stirred for about 5 hours. When a reaction was complete, the resultant was washed several times and extracted with water and a hydrochloric acid diluted solution, concentrated, and then, sufficiently dried in a vacuum oven to finally obtain a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1-9.

Preparation of Surface-Modified Quantum Dot Dispersion

Surface-modified quantum dot dispersion was obtained according to the same method as Preparation Example 1 except that the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-9 was utilized instead of the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-1.

COMPARATIVE PREPARATION EXAMPLE 1

92 g of thioglycolic acid (Sigma Aldrich Co., Ltd.), 164 g of triethylene monomethyl ether (TCI), 8 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate (Sigma Aldrich Co., Ltd.), and 500 ml of cyclohexane were put together, and then, while the mixture was heated under a nitrogen atmosphere, so that cyclohexane could be refluxed, water generated therefrom was removed by utilizing a dean stark apparatus. When water was no longer produced, the reactants were cooled down to room temperature and then, washed by utilizing ethyl acetate and distilled water. The organic layer was neutralized by utilizing a NaOH diluent. Subsequently, the neutralized resultant was washed several times by utilizing distilled water, treated by utilizing MgSO₄ to dry moisture, and then, concentrated under a reduced pressure to finally obtain a compound represented by Chemical Formula C.

Preparation of Surface-Modified Quantum Dot Dispersion

Surface-modified quantum dot dispersion was obtained according to the same method as Preparation Example 1 except that the ligand represented by Chemical Formula C was utilized instead of the ligand represented by Chemical Formula 1-1.

Evaluation 1: Dispersion

The quantum dot dispersions of Preparation Examples 1 to 9 and Comparative Preparation Example 1 were each respectively measured three times with respect to particle sizes by utilizing a microparticle size analyzer and averaged, and the results are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Particle size (D50) (nm) Preparation Example 1 14.4 Preparation Example 2 14.5 Preparation Example 3 13.4 Preparation Example 4 13.3 Preparation Example 5 13.6 Preparation Example 6 14.0 Preparation Example 7 14.1 Preparation Example 8 14.1 Preparation Example 9 14.0 Comparative Preparation Example 1 15.0

Referring to Table 1, each of the quantum dot dispersion according to Preparation Examples 1 to 9 exhibited a narrow particle size distribution, which shows that the quantum dots were well dispersed in a high boiling-point and high surface-tension solvent (e.g., monomer), but the quantum dot dispersion according to Comparative Preparation Example 1 exhibited a wide particle size distribution, which shows that the quantum dots were not well dispersed in the high boiling-point and high surface-tension solvent (e.g., monomer).

Preparation of Non-Solvent Curable Composition

EXAMPLE 1

The dispersion according to Preparation Example 1 was weighed and then, mixed and diluted with the monomer represented by Chemical Formula 2-1, and a polymerization inhibitor (methylhydroquinone, Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) was added thereto and then, stirred for 5 minutes. Subsequently, a photoinitiator (TPO-L, Polynetron) was injected thereinto, and a light diffusing agent (TiO₂; SDT89, Iridos Co., Ltd.) was added thereto. The entire dispersion was stirred for 1 hour to prepare a non-solvent curable composition. 40 wt % of the quantum dots, 48 wt % of the monomer represented by Chemical Formula 2-1, 1 wt % of the polymerization inhibitor, 3 wt % of the photoinitiator, and 8 wt % of the light diffusing agent were included based on a total amount of the non-solvent curable composition.

EXAMPLE 2

A non-solvent curable composition was prepared according to the same method as Example 1 except that the dispersion according to Preparation Example 2 was utilized instead of the dispersion according to Preparation Example 1.

EXAMPLE 3

A non-solvent curable composition was prepared according to the same method as Example 1 except that the dispersion according to Preparation Example 3 was utilized instead of the dispersion according to Preparation Example 1.

EXAMPLE 4

A non-solvent curable composition was prepared according to the same method as Example 1 except that the dispersion according to Preparation Example 4 was utilized instead of the dispersion according to Preparation Example 1.

EXAMPLE 5

A non-solvent curable composition was prepared according to the same method as Example 1 except that the dispersion according to Preparation Example 5 was utilized instead of the dispersion according to Preparation Example 1.

EXAMPLE 6

A non-solvent curable composition was prepared according to the same method as Example 1 except that the dispersion according to Preparation Example 6 was utilized instead of the dispersion according to Preparation Example 1.

EXAMPLE 7

A non-solvent curable composition was prepared according to the same method as Example 1 except that the dispersion according to Preparation Example 7 was utilized instead of the dispersion according to Preparation Example 1.

EXAMPLE 8

A non-solvent curable composition was prepared according to the same method as Example 1 except that the dispersion according to Preparation Example 8 was utilized instead of the dispersion according to Preparation Example 1.

EXAMPLE 9

A non-solvent curable composition was prepared according to the same method as Example 1 except that the dispersion according to Preparation Example 9 was utilized instead of the dispersion according to Preparation Example 1.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

A non-solvent curable composition was prepared according to the same method as Example 1 except that the dispersion according to Comparative Preparation Example 1 was utilized instead of the dispersion according to Preparation Example 1.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

A non-solvent curable composition was prepared according to the same method as Example 1 except that 50 wt % of the quantum dots, 38 wt % of the monomer represented by Chemical Formula 2-1, 1 wt % of the polymerization inhibitor, 3 wt % of the photoinitiator, and 8 wt % of the light diffusing agent were utilized based on a total amount of the non-solvent curable composition.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3

A non-solvent curable composition was prepared according to the same method as Example 1 except that 6 wt % of the quantum dots, 82 wt % of the monomer represented by Chemical Formula 2-1, 1 wt % of the polymerization inhibitor, 3 wt % of the photoinitiator, and 8 wt % of the light diffusing agent were utilized based on a total amount of the non-solvent curable composition.

Evaluation 2: Evaluation of Optical Characteristics

Each composition according to Examples 1 to 9 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 was coated to be about 15 μm thick on glass substrates and yellow photoresists (YPR) respectively with a spin coater (800 rpm, 5 seconds, Opticoat MS-A150, Mikasa Co., Ltd.) and exposed with 5000 mJ (83° C., 10 seconds) with a 395 nm UV exposer under a nitrogen atmosphere to prepare a cured film. Subsequently, a 2 cm×2 cm single film specimen of each cured film was loaded in an integrating sphere equipment (QE-2100, Otsuka Electronics, Co., Ltd.) and measured with respect to a light absorption rate and light efficiency, and the results are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 External Maximum Light quantum emission absorption efficiency wavelength rate (%) (E.Q.E) (%) (nm) Example 1 glass 94.7 28.5 541 YPR 100 25.3 542 Example 2 glass 95 29 542 YPR 100 26.8 542 Example 3 glass 94.3 30.5 542 YPR 100 26.8 542 Example 4 glass 96 28.6 543 YPR 100 25.6 543 Example 5 glass 94.3 29.1 542 YPR 100 24.7 542 Example 6 glass 94.8 32 541 YPR 100 28.7 541 Example 7 glass 96.8 28.8 543 YPR 100 28.2 543 Example 8 glass 92.8 33.8 535 YPR 100 28.3 534 Example 9 glass 93.8 33.8 535 YPR 100 29.4 542 Comparative Example 1 glass 95.3 25.1 542 YPR 100 22.8 542 Comparative Example 2 glass 98.1 29.1 544 YPR 100 24.4 544 Comparative Example 3 glass 52.1 14.1 525 YPR 96 10 525

Referring to Table 2, the non-solvent curable composition according to an embodiment exhibited suitable (e.g., very excellent) optical characteristics.

Preparation of Solvent Based Curable Composition

EXAMPLE 10

The dispersion according to Preparation Example 5 was weighed to disperse quantum dots (23 wt %) in dimethyl adipate (45 wt %) and mixed with a cardo-based binder resin (TSR-TA01, TAKOMA) (8 wt %) to prepare a quantum dot dispersion. Subsequently, OXT-221 (Toagosei Co., Ltd.) (1 wt %) and PFM-02 (SMS) (16.5 wt %) as a thermosetting monomer, a light diffusing agent (TiO₂; SDT89, Iridos Co., Ltd.) (2 wt %), glycol di-3-mercaptopropionate (Bruno Bock Chemische Fabrik GMBH & CO., KG) (4.2 wt %), and methyl hydroquinone (TCI) (0.3 wt %) as a polymerization inhibitor were mixed, and the quantum dot dispersion was added thereto and then, stirred to prepare a solvent based curable composition.

EXAMPLE 11

Each solvent based curable composition (photosensitive resin composition) was prepared utilizing the following components in a corresponding amount.

Specifically, a photopolymerization initiator is dissolved in a solvent, and the solution is sufficiently stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. Subsequently, a binder resin along with quantum dots and a dispersing agent (TEGO D685 made by EVONIK) are added thereto, and the obtained mixture is stirred again at room temperature for 2 hours. Then, a diffusing agent and a fluorine-based surfactant were added thereto and then, stirred for 1 hour at room temperature, and a product therein was filtered three times to remove impurities and prepare a photosensitive resin composition.

1) Quantum dot: 12 wt % of quantum dots obtained from Preparation Example 1

2) Binder resin: 25 wt % of a cardo-based binder resin (TSR-TA01, TAKOMA)

3) Polymerizable monomer: 5.4 wt % of pentaerythritolhexamethacrylate (DPHA, Nippon Kayaku Co. Ltd.)

4) Photopolymerization initiator: 0.7 wt % of diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide (TPO, Sigma-Aldrich Corporation)

5) Solvent: 39 wt % of dimethyladipate

6) Diffusing agent: 39 wt % of titanium dioxide dispersion (a TiO₂ solid content: 20 wt %, an average particle diameter: 200 nm, Ditto Technology)

7) Thiol additive: 2 wt % of glycol di-3-mercaptopropionate (BRUNO BOCK)

8) Other additives: 0.9 wt % of a fluorine-based surfactant (F-554, DIC Co., Ltd.)

Evaluation 3: Photo-Conversion Rate and Photo-Conversion Maintenance Rate of Quantum Dots

The curable compositions according to Examples 10 and 11 were respectively coated to be 6 μm thick on a glass substrate with a spin coater (150 rpm, Opticoat MS-A150, Mikasa Co., Ltd.) and then, dried on a hot-plate at 80° C. for 1 minute to obtain a single film, and an initial blue photo-conversion rate thereof was measured (First Step).

The obtained film was dried in a forced convection dryer at 180° C. for 30 minutes, and a blue photo-conversion rate thereof was measured (Second Step).

In the first and second steps, a photo-conversion rate and a photo-conversion maintenance rate of incident blue light from BLU (Backlight Unit) into green were evaluated, and the results are shown in Table 3. Herein, a blue photo-conversion rate (Green/Blue) was measured by utilizing a CAS 140 CT spectrometer and specifically, through putting (e.g., loading) a bare glass on blue BLU (455 nm) covered with a diffusing film to first obtain a reference with a detector, putting (e.g., loading) each single film coated with the solvent based curable compositions according to Examples 10 and 11, and calculating a peak increase converted into green light relative to an absorption peak decrease of blue light. That is, the photo-conversion rate is calculate as the ratio of the amount of increase in the peak height of the green light to the amount of decrease in the peak height of the blue light in the absorption spectrum, each based on the bare glass on blue BLU (455 nm) covered with the diffusing film. In addition, how much the photo-conversion rate in the first step was maintained in the second step, that is, a photo-conversion maintenance rate from the first step to the second step was also measured, and the results are shown in Table 3.

In addition, as for the solvent based curable composition of Example 11, a photo-conversion rate was measured with an exposer (ghi broadband, Ushio Inc.) by performing post-baking (POB) in a convection clean oven (Jongro) at 180° C. for 30 minutes after irradiating UV with a power of 100 mJ/cm², and the results are shown in Table 4.

TABLE 3 (unit: %) Example 10 Example 11 Photo-conversion rate 29 26 Photo-conversion maintenance rate 96 94

TABLE 4 (unit: %) Example 11 Initial photo-conversion rate 26 Phot-conversion rate after POB is once performed at 22.8 180° C. for 30 min

As shown in Tables 3 and 4, the solvent based curable composition prepared by utilizing surface-modified quantum dots according to an embodiment exhibited smaller deterioration of a blue photo-conversion rate due to a color filter process but exhibited a high photo-conversion maintenance rate.

Expressions such as “at least one of” or “at least one selected from” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of the present invention refers to “one or more embodiments of the present invention.” Also, the term “exemplary” is intended to refer to an example or illustration. As used herein, the term “substantially,” “about,” and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent deviations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges of the same numerical precision subsumed within the recited range. For example, a range of “1.0 to 10.0” is intended to include all subranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1.0 and the recited maximum value of 10.0, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as, for example, 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein and any minimum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, Applicant reserves the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to expressly recite any sub-range subsumed within the ranges expressly recited herein. All such ranges are intended to be inherently described in this specification such that amending to expressly recite any such subranges would comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph, or 35 U.S.C. § 112(a), and 35 U.S.C. § 132(a).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

While this disclosure has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical example embodiments, it is to be understood that the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, and equivalents thereof. Therefore, the aforementioned embodiments should be understood to be exemplary but not limiting the subject matter of the present disclosure in any way. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A quantum dot surface-modified with a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1:

wherein, in Chemical Formula 1, R¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 aryl group, L¹ to L³ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group, an ester group, or an ether group, and n is an integer of 3 to 20, provided that when L² is an ester group and when L³ is an unsubstituted C7 to C10 alkylene group: n is an integer of 4 to 20, provided that when L² is an ester group and when L³ is an unsubstituted C1 to C6 alkylene group: n is an integer of 4 to 20 and R¹ is selected from the group consisting of a substituted or unsubstituted C11 to C20 aryl group, a moiety represented by Formula 3-1, and a moiety represented by Formula 3-2, and provided that when L² is a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group or an ether group and when L³ is a substituted or unsubstituted C2 alkylene group: L¹ is an ester group or an ether group, or R¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted C15 to C20 aryl group:

wherein in Formulae 3-2 and 3-2, * represents a binding site to a neighboring oxygen atom.
 2. The quantum dot of claim 1, wherein L¹ and L³ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group, and L² is an ester group or an ether group.
 3. The quantum dot of claim 1, wherein the quantum dot has a maximum fluorescence emission wavelength at about 500 nm to about 680 nm.
 4. A quantum dot surface-modified with a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1:

wherein, in Chemical Formula 1, R¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 aryl group, L¹ to L³ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group, an ester group, or an ether group, and n is an integer of 3 to 20, provided that when L² is an ester group and when L³ is an unsubstituted C7 to C10 alkylene group: n is an integer of 4 to 20, provided that when L² is an ester group and when L³ is an unsubstituted C1 to C6 alkylene group: n is an integer of 4 to 20 and R¹ is selected from the group consisting of a substituted or unsubstituted C11 to C20 aryl group, a moiety represented by Formula 3-1, and a moiety represented by Formula 3-2, and provided that when L² is a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group or an ether group and when L³ is a substituted or unsubstituted C2 alkylene group: L¹ is an ester group or an ether group, or R¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted C15 to C20 aryl group:

wherein in Formulae 3-2 and 3-2, * represents a binding site to a neighboring oxygen atom, wherein the compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 comprises at least one selected from compounds represented by Chemical Formula 1-4 to Chemical Formula 1-5:


5. A non-solvent curable composition comprising a quantum dot surface-modified with a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, a polymerizable monomer having a carbon-carbon double bond at a terminal end, and a light diffusing agent, wherein the polymerizable monomer is about 35 wt % to about 80 wt % in amount based on a total weight of the non-solvent curable composition, and the non-solvent curable composition does not contain any solvent:

wherein, in Chemical Formula 1, R¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 aryl group, L¹ to L³ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group, an ester group, or an ether group, and n is an integer of 3 to 20, provided that when L² is an ester group and when L³ is an unsubstituted C7 to C10 alkylene group: n is an integer of 4 to 20, and provided that when L² is an ester group and when L³ is an unsubstituted C1 to C6 alkylene group: n is an integer of 4 to 20 and R¹ is selected from the group consisting of a substituted or unsubstituted C11 to C20 aryl group, a moiety represented by Formula 3-1, and a moiety represented by Formula 3-2:

wherein in Formulae 3-2 and 3-2, * represents a binding site to a neighboring oxygen atom.
 6. The non-solvent curable composition of claim 5, wherein the polymerizable monomer has a molecular weight of about 220 g/mol to about 1,000 g/mol.
 7. The non-solvent curable composition of claim 5, wherein the polymerizable monomer is represented by Chemical Formula 2:

wherein, in Chemical Formula 2, R² and R³ are each independently a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl group, L⁴ and L⁶ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group, and L⁵ is a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkylene group or an ether group.
 8. The non-solvent curable composition of claim 5, wherein the quantum dot is about 1 wt % to about 60 wt % in amount based on the total weight of the non-solvent curable composition.
 9. The non-solvent curable composition of claim 5, wherein the light diffusing agent comprises barium sulfate, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, zirconia, or a combination thereof.
 10. The non-solvent curable composition of claim 5, wherein the non-solvent curable composition further comprises a polymerization initiator.
 11. The non-solvent curable composition of claim 5, wherein the non-solvent curable composition further comprises a polymerization inhibitor; malonic acid; 3-amino-1,2-propanediol; a silane-based coupling agent; a leveling agent; a fluorine-based surfactant; or a combination thereof.
 12. A solvent based curable composition comprising the quantum dot of claim 1; a binder resin; and a solvent.
 13. The solvent based curable composition of claim 12, further comprising a polymerizable monomer, a polymerization initiator, a light diffusing agent, or a combination thereof.
 14. The solvent based curable composition of claim 12, wherein the solvent based curable composition is a photosensitive resin composition.
 15. A curing layer manufactured utilizing the composition of claim
 5. 16. A curing layer manufactured utilizing the composition of claim
 12. 17. A color filter comprising the cured layer of claim
 15. 18. A color filter comprising the cured layer of claim
 16. 19. A display device comprising the color filter of claim
 17. 20. A display device comprising the color filter of claim
 18. 